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OAKLAND — Historic Oakland might be known for its quaint downtown buildings or its tight-knit community, but one thing that doesn't come to mind when thinking of the town is a place for skateboarders. A group of residents, including about 15 young boarders, are hoping to change that by creating a park just for them.
The effort began in June, after someone had thrown a rock through the window of the local post office. Residents became suspicious of the youth in town, and a few skateboarders were stopped and asked what it would take to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. A skate park, they said.
“There is just not enough recreation activities in Oakland,” said Amy Magnus, mother of two young skaters. “They are not allowed to skate here, there or anywhere. They need a spot for themselves to do that.”
Oakland resident Jan Weir said she has always been a kid person, and it has always been her goal to make people's lives better. She began organizing meetings through fliers around town when she heard the desire for a skate park, even though her children are grown.
Initially, kids met, decided what they wanted, and talked about how to do it. First, they came out to pick up garbage and return cans after the five nights of the Umpqua's Got Talent competition this summer. The $47 they raised was blown away by the $700 made by the garage sale they held on Oct. 10.
The skaters, some friends and a few siblings solicited donations and even got the owner of Busy Bee Storage to donate space to store it all. The event was a success with about 20 people donating and many more coming out to buy.
“I am really seriously stoked,” Weir said of the sale outcome, netting about $700 dollars.
Magnus said she thinks Oakland residents are supportive of kids getting this project started.
“Everyone is excited about the fact that the kids will have a safe place to skate,” Weir said. “They won't be in the middle of cars on the highway or running people over on the streets.”
While they still have a long way to raising funds for their project, the City Council has conditionally approved their use of half of the tennis courts off Second Street for the skate park, if they can come up with a design that fits the space.
They have chosen the equipment they want and have spoken with employees of the American Ramp Company to create specific designs. Organizers plan to apply to the Tony Hawk Foundation for a grant in March, and if they are successful, the ramp company will match the $25,000 grant.
To prove they are responsible and respectful of their community, the skaters are working to introduce themselves at each business and sweep their sidewalks.
“Those kids are working very hard to show they don't deserve a bad rap,” Magnus said.
Although exact times have yet to be determined, Weir is planning their next fundraiser, a $5 Sloppy Joe feed on Nov. 7 at the Oakland Community Center. Organizers hope to gain more young people interested in helping out.
“Fifteen kids are helping,” Magnus said. “There will be fifteen billion there when it's built.”
• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 957-4208 or by e-mail at hmorse@nrtoday.com.
The effort began in June, after someone had thrown a rock through the window of the local post office. Residents became suspicious of the youth in town, and a few skateboarders were stopped and asked what it would take to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. A skate park, they said.
“There is just not enough recreation activities in Oakland,” said Amy Magnus, mother of two young skaters. “They are not allowed to skate here, there or anywhere. They need a spot for themselves to do that.”
Oakland resident Jan Weir said she has always been a kid person, and it has always been her goal to make people's lives better. She began organizing meetings through fliers around town when she heard the desire for a skate park, even though her children are grown.
Initially, kids met, decided what they wanted, and talked about how to do it. First, they came out to pick up garbage and return cans after the five nights of the Umpqua's Got Talent competition this summer. The $47 they raised was blown away by the $700 made by the garage sale they held on Oct. 10.
The skaters, some friends and a few siblings solicited donations and even got the owner of Busy Bee Storage to donate space to store it all. The event was a success with about 20 people donating and many more coming out to buy.
“I am really seriously stoked,” Weir said of the sale outcome, netting about $700 dollars.
Magnus said she thinks Oakland residents are supportive of kids getting this project started.
“Everyone is excited about the fact that the kids will have a safe place to skate,” Weir said. “They won't be in the middle of cars on the highway or running people over on the streets.”
While they still have a long way to raising funds for their project, the City Council has conditionally approved their use of half of the tennis courts off Second Street for the skate park, if they can come up with a design that fits the space.
They have chosen the equipment they want and have spoken with employees of the American Ramp Company to create specific designs. Organizers plan to apply to the Tony Hawk Foundation for a grant in March, and if they are successful, the ramp company will match the $25,000 grant.
To prove they are responsible and respectful of their community, the skaters are working to introduce themselves at each business and sweep their sidewalks.
“Those kids are working very hard to show they don't deserve a bad rap,” Magnus said.
Although exact times have yet to be determined, Weir is planning their next fundraiser, a $5 Sloppy Joe feed on Nov. 7 at the Oakland Community Center. Organizers hope to gain more young people interested in helping out.
“Fifteen kids are helping,” Magnus said. “There will be fifteen billion there when it's built.”
• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 957-4208 or by e-mail at hmorse@nrtoday.com.
